The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has demanded answers to the alleged payment of about ¢2 million to dancehall artiste, Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. popularly known as Shatta Wale and others as brand ambassadors of state-owned Exim Bank.
Some members of the committee have requested the basis for making some huge payment for the ambassadorial deal.
Ras Mubarak, a member of the Committee disclosed that it makes no economic sense for the company to pay such an amount to an artiste to promote made in Ghana goods.
“I mentioned ¢2 million that went to Shatta Wale but the Deputy CEO says they wouldn’t know who the vendor selected and this is not to say that we have a problem with Shatta Wale getting some amount of money to do whatever work. But the Ghanaian public deserves to know how much went out and who got it because their answers were not satisfying.”
The committee’s inquisition follows a series of media reports suggesting that the bank paid some huge sums of monies to Shatta Wale and actor and comedian, Kofi Adu, popularly known as “Agya Koo” to be its brand ambassadors.
However, offering a quick rebuttal at the PAC meeting on Wednesday, September 9, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Kwame Adu-Darkwa revealed that the bank only engaged the services of a media consultant to support them in promoting their product since it was necessary.
Mr. Adu-Darkwa maintained that he has not signed or sighted any cheque doling GH¢2 million to any artiste.
“You will be surprised how brand ambassadors can be good for promoting a particular sector. Sometimes what needs to be done is that if you have done incredible work, it will be good for people to know what their options are, and having a good brand ambassador to do that makes sense.”
The MP for Kumbungu, however was of the opinion that the money could have been invested in providing amenities to deprived communities, insisting that the dancehall artist does not deserve the GH¢2 million.
Meanwhile, Chairman of PAC, James Klutse Avedzi said the Committee will invite officials of the bank to present details of the said payments to Shatta Wale and others.
The Ghana Export-Import Bank
The Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) was established by the Ghana Export-Import Bank Act 2016 (Act 911) to support the Government of Ghana’s quest for a feasible and sustainable export led economy.
The bank’s vision it to become a strong financial institution that will be a key engine in the development of Ghana’s export trade, facilitate cross border trade and make Ghana a pillar in regional and continental trade
The mission of the bank is to facilitate the transformation of Ghana’s economy into an export one by supporting and developing trade between Ghana and other countries, overseas investments by Ghanaian companies, and eliminate critical market failures in the Ghanaian economy thereby making Ghana competitive in the global marketplace.
